Exploration for Coalbed Methane in Frontier Regions Using Limited Data

Oil & Natural Gas / Coalbed Methane / Exploration

Date posted: 08/26/09

High coalbed methane producibility commonly occurs in areas of upward-flow potential associated with permeability barriers (no-flow boundaries). Outcrop studies combined with examination of existing geologic maps and precipitation patterns therefore provide valuable information on coal resources (coal thickness and orientation), ground-water flow and permeability barriers (cleat orientation, faulting, coal pinchout), and gas generation potential (surface coal rank and coal quality). These data are then combined to delineate areas of potentially higher gas content and, therefore, higher coalbed methane potential.